Tuesday 7 April 2009 19.05 EDT
First published on Tuesday 7 April 2009 19.05 EDT

Yes, Chris Dunphy, Chairman of Rochdale

Some people think docking points is unfair but I don't. Earlier this season we were chasing a player from another club. We spoke to the player and then he went to speak to one of the clubs who had points deducted this season and they were able to make him a better offer. Last season they couldn't afford to pay their tax and suppliers and yet this season they can afford to pay more for players than us. There can be no justification for that.

Running a football club on a tight budget is difficult and so perhaps it is no surprise that more than 40 have gone into administration. But as far as I'm concerned, it is morally wrong. It cannot be right for a club such as Leicester City to build a new stadium then wipe off millions of pounds of debt without sanction. What is the difference between an athlete taking drugs to enhance performance and a football club spending money it does not have to enhance its league place?

I do feel sorry for fans of those clubs that are penalised and I can understand why Luton supporters in particular are so angry right now, but they were at Wembley on Sunday and have experienced good times in the past – like beating Arsenal in the League Cup final in 1987. It was then that they should have put something away in preperation for the leaner times. That they did not is their responsiblity. I have no problem with clubs chasing money and glory but their history does not entitle them to anything if they cannot live within their means. If your plumber runs out of money to pay his suppliers he goes out of business. Why should football be an exception?

The Football League has in the past tried to keep all the clubs together, which is commendable, but what is good for the goose has to be be good for the gander. They need to look long and hard at further punishment. Perhaps a points deduction is not severe enough — immediate relegation or expulsion to the Conference might be the right answer. That would certainly make people think more carefully before running their clubs into debt.

If the Football League wants to carry everyone along with them they have got to be seen to be honourable to all their members. What has happened with these massive write-offs, as occurred at Leicester and Leeds, harms the image of football and not just the individual clubs.

No, Stephen Browne, Luton Town director

Docking points is a reactive measure that has failed to solve the problem of clubs getting into financial difficulties. Luton Town is a good example of this – despite the best efforts of many people, we have suffered three administrations. Bournemouth are on their second.

What the punishment also fails to recognise is that a club often goes into administration through no fault of its own. We all have sponsors, for instance, and if they suffer a problem than the ripples of that are felt. We are all punished for the mistake of our predecessors. This is unfair and doesn't happen anywhere else in business.

The solution would be for the Football League to taking proactive rather than reactive steps. All clubs should be asked to provide financial data on a frequent basis. From this, accountants could spot any difficulties a club might be heading towards and provide the necessary support.

Another step could be for the League to demand from anyone who wishes to become a director a bond that would act as a guarantee should their club go into administration. It is too easy right now for some people to take risks because the money they are gambling with is the Inland Revenue's, not theirs. The director who pays a few extra thousand pounds in wages to a player his or her club cannot afford would think twice if it was they who lost out in the end.

The policy of docking points is not only unfair but also inconsistent. At Luton, the initial 10 points we were deducted led directly to our relegation in 2008. Leeds were deducted 10 points the previous year after they were relegated. Now Southampton may not lose any points because it was their holding company that was at fault, yet we were deducted further points for errors made by our holding company. It is no surprise small clubs feel we are treated more harshly than the big boys.

Of course there should be punishment for clubs that break the rules but the current method is not only harsh it is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted and hurting the wrong people, namely the supporters. It is little surprise then that so many up and down the country are beginning to feel disenfranchised.